Chapter 10

Tara's POV

Andrew left my room shortly after that, my eyes traveled to the sitted on the bed letter on my bed. I still couldn't believe it. It felt like a dream.

Well, a dream that is no reality.

I went back to my bed, tears welled up in my eyes but I held them back. I dropped it on the bedside table then took off my clothes heading to the bathroom, I took a quick shower, wore my nighties, and off to bed.

I wrapper myself with hands under the duvet, but sleep was not knocking. I tossed to the ends of the bed at Intervals, trying to find a comfortable position to sleepy..

But no matter what I did, or how I shut my eyes, I just couldn't sleep. I sighed, as I turned onto my side

I lay there in the dark, staring at the ceiling.

The rustling of the wind blew the trees outside, and the faint air-conditioner put me to calm. I took a deep breath and tried to focus more on the sound of my breathing.

I slowly began to feel my body cool off, as sleep began to hover around me. I shut my eyes and drifted off into a deep, peaceful slumber. I slept soundly through the night, only to be woken up by my alarm clock.

After much laziness , I opened my eyes and stood up I was tired, still sleepy, and wanted to sleep more but today's my first day.

A wave of joy washed over me, I was starting work today. Thanks to Andrew.

Finally, after much deliberation, I got out of bed and rushed to my big window. The sun was rising already and I could tell by the pinkish color of the sky, and the Chirping of the morning birds.

I was more than ready to begin my day.

I entered the bathroom, humming to beautiful music, and started the shower. The water felt chilling on my skin, I let the steam fill everything, giving a more relaxing aura. I closed my eyes as the water ran over my body.

My body felt calm, as all the tension and stress of the past few days wentaway. Then reluctantly, I turned off the shower and stepped out of the bathroom

I opened my dresser drawer reaching out to the dress Andrew gifted me last night. It was even more beautiful now it was under the natural light. The dress was personally tailored for me, and the shade of blue popped out of my smooth delicate skin. I slipped into it, and the fabric felt like silk against my skin.

I put on matching flat shoes and felt like a gazillion bucks. I looked in the mirror and gasped, I couldn't recognize the woman staring back at me as my reflection. I looked younger, happy, confident, and ready to take on the world. I was a new person, and this chapter of my life represented my daydream of perfection.

Feeling balanced in my shoes, I grabbed my red bag, and took one last look at myself, blowing a kiss to my reflection as I headed out my room.

Walking out of the room, I felt a gush of excitement.

Today was going to be great, I just know it. I couldn't wait to see what it had in store for me.

I went down the stairs, I could smell the aroma of coffee brewing in the kitchen making my stomach groan in anticipation . I entered the kitchen, seeing Nanny Dorothy at the cooker, making breakfast.

“Gofdmoring Tara, you're looking good this morning.” she says flashing me a warm smile, I blushed a bit.

“Hope you're hungry cause I made pancakes.” she says putting the last pancake on the plate as she reached out for honey, I couldn't wait to have a taste.

“I am, Nanny, and they smell amazing” I sat down at the table, as she placed the plate of pancakes in front of me.

“Dig in,” She said, and I wasted no time in doing just that.

They were perfectly cooked, fluffy, and gold brot, the butter and syrup dripping down the sides in a tantalizing way as I took a bite out of it, the taste sent me straight to heaven.

Nanny Dorothy was a good cook, I gotta give that to her.

It was a perfect combo of sweetness and comfort. The perfect way to start my day. I looked up, Nanny Dorothy stood there watching me with a wide smile on her face

“You seem to be enjoying those,” She says, her tone light and teasing. I smiled back, my mouth full of pancakes.

“I am,” I said, my words muffled by my breakfast, causing her to laugh.

Patting me on the shoulders she says, “Eat up”.

“You have a big day ahead of you today.” I nodded and dug into my breakfast with renewed vigor.

I had to fuel up for the day and Nanny Dorothy's meal was the hit.

………

Andrew walked down the stairs, dressed in a gray suit and carrying a briefcase, his hair perfectly styled. He looked professional and confident, I felt a swell of pride as I watched him.

Nanny Dorothy whistled, and I laughed.

“Good morning, beautiful,” Andrew says to me, with a smile on his face.

“Good morning to you too,” I said, melting into his embrace.

“You look gorgeous,” he says, flipping the strands of hair that blocked my face, behind my ears, I giggled.

He held out my hand as I twirled,

“You look gorgeous” he complimented making me blush.

“Thank you” I replied shyly, as he smiled.

“You both have a nice day” Nanny finally says after admiring us at a close distance.

“Thank you, Nanny, see you later.” Waving at Nanny Dorothy as we left for work.

We approached the car together, the driver turned on the ignition and then we drove off.

We made small talk on the way to work, I could feel the tension between us begin to ease.

Finally, we pulled into the parking lot, my heart skipped,

“You've got this,” Andrew says, squeezing my hand. I nodded, and we got out of the car.

Taking a deep breath as we both walked into the building.

We stepped into the lobby.

this is it” I said to myself as we both walked in.

I could feel all eyes on me, my heart began to race. I felt like an object of attention.

Wait? What was I suspecting to happen? I was walking with the CEO!

I swallowed the lump in my throat as I judiciously followed Andrew to his office. He seemed to be handling this attention thing so well.

We walked into the elevator,

“You've got this,” he says to me, I nod, as the door to the closed elevator. I took another deep breath, my nerves started to settle.

The elevator door opened and we stepped out, I'm sure this was the top floor close to his office. The surging feeling of adrenaline consumed me as we walked past the staff at their offices. We were greeted by everyone as the secretary opened the door to his office.

We were here, and I was ready to start my day. The door opened and the secretary walked in. She looked me up and down and I could feel her disdain. She gave me a “Who do you think you are?” look my confidence began to falter. I stood straight, trying to ignore her.

She turned to Andrew,

“Good morning sir.”

“Morning Laura, Prepare the meeting and set everything,” he says to her, she then turns to leave when he calls her back.

“Laura?”

She turned, “ Sir?”.

He looked at me then back at her, “She's our newest staff, please show her around.” I noticed the slight scorn on her face, she looked at me then back at Andrew.

“Yes sir.” Turning to me,

”Please follow me,” she says, gesturing to me. Andrew nodded, I smiled then walked out of his office with Laura.

She was cold and distant but she began to show me around as we walked down the hall. I could feel her eyes on me the whole time with brooding thoughts over who I was to the boss

She showed me the break room, the copy room, and the restrooms. Then she led me to my office. It was small, but the office was mine . Feeling a sense of pride as I sat down on my chair.

I turned to see to noticed a stack of files in the corner of my desk.

“You have taken over from Leo. He went on a break but he should be back soon. You'll be working directly under him, more like an assistant to him.” She says I nodded slowly.

As we walked, I could feel her impatience growing. I wanted to apologize for the inconvenience but that would probably make everything feel worse

Finally, we got to Andrew, and she turned to me,

“There you go,” her cutting tone said. I smiled back even if she didn't return it.

“If you need anything else. You can let me know.” She added the. Walked away. Feeling relieved, I went back to my office.

……..

My first day was not going as planned. I had hoped to make a good impression but it felt like I was already on Laura's bad side.

I sat down at my desk, trying to focus on the work In Front of me. But I just couldn't stop thinking about the look on the staff faces as well as the Secretary's.

Was I really that inept? Did I make that bad of an impression?

I began to doubt myself, as my confidence slipped away.

I took a deep breath, trying to clear my head and stay focused but nothing.

“Oh good lord”. I ran my hand over my head in frustration.